LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS—Bukas ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa pakikipag-usap upang mapayagang itayo sa lupang pag-aari nito sa Bayan ng Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT) ang isang pasilidad ng New Bilibid Prison (NBP), ito ang pahayag ni Gob. Daniel Fernando.

Sa isang pahayag sa media kamakailanlang, sinabi ng gobernador na may lupa ang Kapitolyo sa DRT na nasa 1,000 hectares at maaaring magamit para sa NBP facility ang 400 hectares.

Subalit ayon sa gobernador, sa pagiging bukas ng Kapitolyo na magamit ng national government ang pag-aaring lupa nito, nais niyang maitayo na rin ang bagong Bulacan Provincial Jail sa nasabing 400 hectares.

Sa ngayon ay wala pa umanong nabubuong pag-uusap sa pagitan ng national government o ng Bureau of Correction (BuCor) tungkol sa proyekto pero nais umano niya na masagot na ng national government ang pagtatayo ng provincial jail doon din sa DRT.

“Depende sa pag-uusap, open tayo sa pakikipag-usap, may mga kondisyones diyan,” pahayag nito sa media.

Ayon sa punong lalawigan, mas mainam na magkatabi na lang o sa iisang compound na lang ang dalawang pasilidad, ang NBP at ang provincial jail bagama’t magkalayo pa rin ito ng gusali at magkaiba ang namamahala at mga panuntunan.  Ang NBP ay sakop ng BuCor at ng Department of Justice samantalang sakop naman ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Bulacan ang provincial jail.

Dahil sa maluwang na lupa sa DRT, maaaring makapagtanim at mag-alaga ng mga hayop ang mga bilanggo, maging iyon man ay sa BuCor o sa provincial jail. Sa ngayon sa provincial jail, aniya, limitado lamang sa handicrafts ang kayang magawa ng mga detinado dahil sa liit ng lugar.

Nauna rito sa isang forum na isinagawa ng Department of Justice at ng BuCor noong Disyembre ay tinukoy ang DRT bilang isa sa mga target paglipatan ng pasilidad ng NBP.

Ang BuCor ay pinamumunuan ni Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., isang retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff.

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga–The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region 3 office has enjoined the youth in their bid to provide health benefits to all the 12.98 residents in the region through social media, reel-making competition.

In a press conference and 29^th anniversary celebration of PhilHealth themed, “Damang-dama ko ang Benepisyo,” held in Queen Pia’s restaurant in this city on Feb. 28, the agency  launched its “Magseguro! Mag-4M na! Magparehistro, Magbayad ng kontribusyon, Mag update ng record at Mag claim ng Benepisyo” reel-making competition together with the support and participation of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The reel-making contest is open to all Grade 8 students promoting the “Nag 4M ka na ba?” trust and advocacy of the agency.   

Through one school one entry rule, the social media competition runs from Feb. 8-March 31, 2024.

According to Monifer Bansil, head of the PHilHealth Region 3 public affairs unit, the participants to the competition must create a video/reel about the Universal Health care “4M steps Magrehistro, Magbayad ng kontribusyon, Mag-update ng record at mag-claim ng benepisyo”. The message or content can focus on only one of the 4M’s or all of them and must not exceed  1 minute.  

Each contestant in the reel or video presentation must be accompanied by at least 1 teacher with not more than 30 seconds exposure.

Contestants may use mobile phone, DSLR or mirrorless camera, videos may contain images/graphics/animation , subtitles/text, voice over, music, which are royalty-free, or must not contain copyrighted artwork.

The entry’s video resolution shall be at least 1920 x 1080p or Full HD or higher.

The entry may be in English, Tagalog, Taglish or in the local dialect like Kapampangan and Ilocano.

The contestants may wear the school uniform or any proper/age-appropriate clothing and each entry must be an original idea by the contestant.

The parents and teachers of the contestant must sign a consent form provided by PhilHealth. A video about the 4M slogan of PhilHealth will also be made available in a link to be sent to the contestants.

All entries can be submitted to the email address of PhilHealth Region 3 office at: pro3pau@gmail.com. Contestants and interested parties may visit the agency’s social media account, FB page; PhilHealth Region III for more information about the competition.

Screening of qualified entries April 1-30 while the posting on PhilHealth FB Page will run from May 1-31.

Judging of entries will be from June 3-14. The announcement of winners will be from June 17-21 and the awarding of winners June 24-28.

The judge’s decision is final.

The first prize winner will receive P15,000, P10,000 for the second prize and P5,000 for the third prize.      

PhilHealth Regional Office 3 Branch Manager Arlan Granali said as of December 2023, there are already 12.62 million, which is 98% of the total 12.89 residents of Central Luzon who are already beneficiaries of PhilHealth.

The 12.62 million are made up of both direct and indirect beneficiaries, 6.8 million of which are registered members and 5.7 are their family member beneficiaries.

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga–Beneficiaries of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is now at 12.62 million, which is 98% of the total 12.89 residents of Central Luzon, the agency’s region 3 office has just announced.

PhilHealth Regional Office 3 Branch Manager Arlan Granali said the 12.62 million are made up of both direct and indirect beneficiaries, 6.8 million of which are registered members and 5.7 million are their family member beneficiaries.

The success in number and percentage of direct and indirect beneficiaries was as of December 2023, Granali added.

With such milestone achievement by the PhilHealth Region 3 office, it has just celebrated on Feb. 28 its 29^th anniversary themed, “Damang-dama ko ang Serbisyo,” held at Queen Pia’s Place restaurant in this city.

According to Granali, with the immediate eligibility “agarang paggamit ng benepisyo”, every Filipino can easily register to PhilHealth or update his/her record to any accredited health care provider upon confinement /admission, to be able to use her/his benefits.

From January to December 2023, PhilHealth had paid P17.5 billion claims to its partner care providers for the services they provided to their members, says Monifer Bansil, head of the public affairs unit of PhilHealth region 3 office.

PhilHealth Konsulta, or the outpatient usage of PhilHealth membership benefits, the agency accredited 310 Konsulta Providers regionwide (8% more than the 286 target for 2023).

As of December 2023, the agency paid P46.9 million for Konsulta services of its 1.6 million registered Konsulta members to their Konsulta facilities for them to be able to use their benefits for check-up, laboratory test, and maintenance medicines.

According to Bansil, the success of PhilHealth in providing health insurance to the Filipinos was made possible through the Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHINES) campaign to encourage more and more Filipinos to register and become members of the agency to qualify for the benefits.

Other enhanced benefits implemented in 2023 also includes expansion and institutionalization of 156 hemodialysis for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) 5 patients, increase in coverage for Ischemic P76,000 and P80,000 and hemorrhagic stroke, increase in coverage for high risk pneumonia P90,010 from P32,000 and Increase in coverage for cataract surgery per month (per doctor) from 50 to 200 surgery per month.

For the outpatient benefit package for mental health–PhilHealth has already provided for General Mental Health package—screening, assessment, diagnostics, follow-up visits, psychological support and medicines worth P9,000 while similar benefits and care for Specialty Mental Health Service Package, including psychotherapy worth P16,000 per person.  

For this year, according to Granali, they are aiming to  surpass all the achievements and successes of the PhilHealth Region 3 office.

During the anniversary celebration, PhilHealth Region 3 also launch its Reel-Making and Digital Poster Making competition for students to help them further enhance their membership and beneficiary targets to all the 12. 89 million residents in the region.  

The competition which seeks to promote PhilHealth’s “Magseguro! Mag 4M na!” advocacy, pushes the 4M–”Magparehistro, Mag-update ng record, Magbayad ng Kontribusyon at Mag-claim ng Benepisyo”.

Granali told NEWS CORE that all Filipinos are automatically members and beneficiaries of PhilHealth. Those who are not yet members but need hospitalization can benefit from PhilHealth but will have to pay the membership contribution  after the hospitalization.

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS–Ilulunsad ng Provincial Government of Bulacan ngayong buwan ng Marso ang kauna-unahan nitong athletic association para sa mga universities and colleges nito upang lalong pataasin ang kasanayan at kahandaan ng mga atletang Bulakenyo sa sports lalo na sa napipintong pagbubukas ng Bulacan Sports Academy.

Ito ang pahayag ni Gob. Daniel Fernando sa isang panayam ng mga mamamahayag kamakailanlang.

Tatawaging Bulacan Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (BUCAA) ang nasabing panlalawigang palaro sa basketball.

Ayon sa gobernador, makakasama sa asosasyon ang nasa 40 mga pang-publiko at pribadong kolehiyo at unibersidad sa lalawigan.

Ayon pa sa gobernador, magagamit ng mga mag-aaral sa itatayong Bulacan Sports Academy sa Bulacan Sports Complex sa lungsod na ito ang mga kasanayan sa basketball sa asosasyong binuo o BUCAA na regular na itataguyod kada taon o kada pagbubukas nito o season.

Paliwanag ng gobernador, sadyang magagaling ang maraming atleta sa lalawigan at nais pa niyang marami pa ang mahasa sa kahusayan kung kaya’t nararapat ang isang Sports Academy. Iba’t ibang uri ng sports ang ituturo sa akademya kabilang ang basketball, softball, volleyball, archery, at marami pang iba.

Isang patunay umano dito ang palagiang pagcha-champion ng lalawigan sa Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA). Ganunpaman, aniya, marami pang kompetisyon at larangan ng sports na dapat maitanghal ang galing ng mga kabataang Bulakenyo kung kaya’t isa ang Bulacan Sports Academy sa kanyang prioridad na maitayo at kung bakit orioridad din niya ang BUCAA.

External Affairs Division PPAO

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Sa layuning matugunan ang mga epekto ng El Niño phenomenon sa mga kapus-palad at hindi kalakasang sektor sa komunidad, nilagdaan ang isang Memorandum of Understanding sa pagitan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Pamahalaang Bayan ng Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) at isinagawa ang Ceremonial Launching of Project Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) at Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI) sa Brgy. Kalawakan, DRT, Bulacan kamakailan.

Nakapailalim ang nasabing proyekto sa Risk Resiliency Program Through Cash-For-Training and Work at sakop nito ang mga apektadong lalawigan ng El Niño batay sa DOST-PAGASA Climate Outlook noong Nobyembre at Disyembre 2023; mga lalawigan at piling mga yunit ng lokal na pamahalaan na nagpapatupad ng RRP-CFTW at top five na lokal na pamahalaan na may pinakamataas na porsyento ng mahihirap na nakalista sa Listahanan 3.

Ang Project LAWA at BINHI ay nakikita bilang isang proactive na interbensyon at sustenableng solusyon na makatutulong na tugunan ang seguridad sa pagkain at kakulangan sa tubig na pinalala ng pagbabago ng klima at mga sakuna.

Bukod sa DRT, ibababa din sa ibang mga bayan sa Bulacan ang Project LAWA at BINHI kabilang ang Bocaue, Norzagaray, San Ildefonso, Santa Maria, Pandi at Plaridel.

Sa kanyang mensahe na ipinaabot ng kanyang kinatawan na si DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, sinabi ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian na ang selyadong partnership ay nagsisiguro na ang mga vulnerable sector ay bibigyang prayoridad sa panahon ng kakulangan sa tubig.

“Ang Memorandum of Understanding na ating pinirmahan ay sumisimbolo sa ating pagkakaisa sa pamamahagi ng social protection services sa tunay na mga nangangailangan nating mga kababayan, lalong lalo na sa mga katutubo, magsasaka, mangingisda, at iba pang sektor na posibleng maapektuhan ng panahon ng tagtuyot,” ayon sa kalihim ng DSWD.

Dagdag pa niya, ang mga serbisyo sa ilalim ng nasabing programa ay naaayon sa Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Samantala, sinabi ni Gob. Daniel R. Fernando sa kanyang mensahe na binasa ng kanyang Chief of Staff Abgd. Nikki Manuel S. Coronel na ang paglulunsad ng Project LAWA at BINHI ay mahalagang bahagi sa pagbuo ng isang ligtas, sagana at inklusibong bansa. 

“Sa pinagsama-samang pwersa ng Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, UN World Food Program, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan, Pamahalaang Bayan ng DRT at Sangguniang Brgy. ng Kalawakan, tayo ngayon ay bubuo ng matatag na pundasyon at mag-iimbak ng nag-uumapaw na pag-asa na siyang magiging daluyan ng biyaya para sa ating lahat,” ani Fernando.

Dumalo rin sa okasyon sina Punong Bayan ng DRT Mayor Ronaldo Flores na kinatawan ni Municipal Administrator Inh. Emilson Dela Cruz, Assistant Regional Director Arthur Dayrit ng DA, Maria Christine De Leon ng Department of the Interior and Local Government Central Luzon, Deputy Country Director Dipayan Bhattacharyya ng Philippines, UN WFP, Cong. Lorna Silverio, Bokal Liberato Sembrano, Punong Bayan ng Norzagaray Ma. Elena Germar, Director Reynaldo Dingal ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), IPMR Councilor Emelita Evangelista, Florinio Saplala, kinatawan ni Bise Gob. Alexis C. Castro, at Assistant Secretary for Community Engagement Ulysses Hermogenes Casimiro Aguilar, Regional Director Venus Rebuldela at Special Assistant to the Secretary for Special Projects Maria Isabel B. Lanada ng DSWD.

Senate Bill No. 2572

An Act Establishing the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport in the Province of Bulacan, Creating for the purpose the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

Good afternoon Mr. President and distinguished colleagues.

I rise today to co-sponsor the proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 2572, which seeks to establish the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport in the Province of Bulacan, and the creation of the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, BACSEZFA (“Bakh-Se-Fa”).

Mr. President, I passionately advocate and support the passage of this measure as this piece of legislation seeks to unleash an untapped potential in our country, the addition of the Bulacan Economic Zone in our economic arsenal, which will surely boost our competitive advantage as an investment hub in Asia. 

I am positive that the proposed Bulacan Ecozone is not just another economic enclave, as it is strategically aligned with the development of the New Manila International Airport. With four parallel runways poised to welcome 100 million passengers annually, this synergistic relationship creates a unique opportunity for attracting more investment locators, world-class semiconductor manufacturers, electric vehicle makers and other emerging tech industries, and not to mention, open up downstream industries in the process.

Parang kailan lamang po ay ating pinagdebatehan sa bulwagang ito ang panukalang batas na ito. Ito ay minsan nang dumaan sa masusi at mabusising pagsusuri. Sa kasamaang palad, tila po bahagyang kinapos sa ehekutibo. Gayunpaman, bagama’t hindi man po umabot sa finish line, hindi po natin maaaring balewalain ang pagsisikap ng ating kapulungan. 

Mr. President, kagaya po ng naudlot na pag-iibigan, marahil dapat ay bigyan natin ang panukalang ito ng second chance. “One more time, with feelings!”, ika nga. Sa ikalawang pagkakataon, muli kong sinusuportahan ang mas lalong pinagtibay at pinaghusay na “Bulacan Ecozone 2.0.” Kaakibat ng panukalang ito ay pagbibigay buhay at hanapbuhay hindi lamang sa ating mga kababayang Bulakenyo, gayundin, ito ay mukha ng pag-asa para sa buong hanay ng ating mga kapatid na manggagawang Pilipino. Maikukumpara ito sa mga modernong kalakal natin ngayon: “new and improved”, “fortified”. At kung ito ay maihahalintulad sa pagkain, ang panukala sigurong ito ay “with Beta Carotene” and “Omega 3”. Lahat na po siguro ng vitamins and minerals, Mr. President, ay isinama na natin.

Sa expertise po ng ating Chairperson on Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, Senator Grace Poe, mas pinaganda at ginawa po nating mas inclusive ang “Bulacan Ecozone 2.0.” Sapagka’t naniniwala po tayo na hindi lamang ang mga Bulakenyo ang makikinabang sa uusbong na mga bagong hanapbuhay at mga oportunidad. Maging ang mga karatig-lugar ay maaanggihan din ng mga biyayang hatid ng ecozone.

When we pushed hard for the establishment of the Bulacan Airport last Congress, we very well knew that it was the necessary step for our dreams to take flight. The establishment of the Bulacan Ecozone ensures that we keep soaring.

We have in our hands, a promising flight plan towards progress. All we need to do is follow it and not veer off course from our intended destination. I await the day we say with pride: “We have landed!” or “We have arrived!”

Daghang Salamat, Mr. President.

Mr. President, esteemed colleagues:

Ako po ay lubos na nagagalak na i-co-sponsor ang panukalang batas na magtatatag ng isang Special Economic Zone and Freeport sa minamahal kong lalawigan ng Bulacan. Bilang isa sa mga may-akda ng panukalang ito, tayo po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating sponsor na si Senator Grace Poe para sa kanyang sipag at dedikasyon upang tuluyan nang maisabatas ang Bulacan Ecozone Act.

The province of Bulacan has an undeniably unique place in Philippine and world history. The historic Barasoain Church in the great City of Malolos is the birthplace of the first constitutional democracy in Asia. Some of our nation’s greatest heroes and brilliant artists also hailed from Bulacan. Among them are Marcelo H. del Pilar, The Great Propagandist; General Gregorio del Pilar, known for his last stand at the Battle of Tirad Pass; the legendary poet Francisco Balagtas; celebrated composer Nicanor Abelardo; and National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.

Today, our beloved province is known as the “Northern Gateway from Manila,” owing to its strategic location close to the capital, making it an ideal investment destination. Bulacan has also seen remarkable economic growth over the last decade or so. In the 2023 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index of the Department of Trade and Industry, the province was ranked 8^th, up from 49^th in 2018. Further, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Bulacan accounted for 27.7% of the economy of Central Luzon in 2022 and contributed the biggest share to the Industry and Services sectors of the region – a testament to our province’s economic dynamism, innovation, well-developed infrastructure support, good governance, and of course, the greatness of Bulaceños.

So just imagine, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the great economic boost and overall development that the proposed Bulacan Ecozone will bring not just to our beloved province, but to the entire Central Luzon and the whole country as well.

It is estimated that aside from complementing the ongoing construction of the New Manila International Airport, the Bulacan Ecozone’s economic potential could be between P37.84 billion and P130.9 billion and could generate at least 800,000 jobs for our people.

We are also confident that the bill that will be passed by this august chamber addresses the concerns raised by the President in his veto message in 2022, as we have put safeguards to ensure that the creation and operations of the proposed Bulacan Ecozone are within the framework of national development plans, policies, and goals, and follow existing laws, rules, and regulations. More specifically, the current bill addresses the veto message through the following provisions:

§  The creation and management of the Bulacan Ecozone shall be in accordance with State policy on economic and social development and local autonomy.

§  Specific metes and bounds of the economic zone are provided, covering the Airport Project and the Airport City Project to be developed pursuant to Republic Act No. 11506, and the remaining land territories of Malolos, Meycauayan, Bulakan, Paombong, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Bocaue, Marilao, Obando, and Sta.Maria, Bulacan that are not yet included in the Airport Project and Airport City Project. It is also provided that subsequent expansion or reduction of the territorial coverage of the Bulacan Ecozone shall be made through a Presidential Proclamation.

§  Fiscal incentives for registered enterprises within the Bulacan Ecozone shall be consistent with the CREATE Law.

§  A cost-sharing scheme for the security of the Bulacan Ecozone shall be established to further address fiscal concerns.

§  The Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority shall be subject to the audit mechanisms under the GOCC Governance Act of 2011 and relevant accounting and auditing rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit.

§  Acquisition of lands distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program shall be subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

§  Management and operations of the Airport Project and the Airport City Project shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 11506.

§  At ang pinaka-mahalaga po para sa akin, Ginoong Pangulo, bilang isang Bulakenyo, ay ang pagprotekta at pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan. Hence, we thank the good sponsor for ensuring that such provisions are carried in the committee report, including that the general framework for land use, planning and development shall maintain an optimal balance between economic maximization and ecological protection, and shall provide for the development of proper waste management and effective flood control and management. It is also provided that the DENR shall continue to have primary authority over environmental protection.

Let me also emphasize, Mr. President, dear colleagues, that the Bulacan Ecozone will not in any way compete with the other special economic zones in the region; but rather, it will complement these ecozones towards achieving the shared goal of national economic growth. We would also like to put on record that during the committee hearing on this measure, it was established that the Region 3 Regional Development Council supports the creation of the Bulacan Ecozone.

Our fellow Bulaceños can also be assured that under this measure, local autonomy and powers will be preserved and a mechanism for revenue sharing is provided. Further, to safeguard national interest and security, the decision of the Office of the President of the Philippines will always prevail in case of any conflict between the Freeport Authority and a national government agency in the Executive branch on matters affecting the Bulacan Ecozone, other than taxation, national defense, or security, which are solely within the purview of the national government.

Ginoong Pangulo, malayo na po ang narating ng minamahal nating lalawigan ng Bulacan. Pero tayo po ay naniniwala na marami pang maihahandog at napakalaki pa po ng potensyal ng lalawigan upang higit pang makapag-ambag sa ating pambansang kaunlaran.

With this measure, we will usher in more development in the province and Central Luzon, as well as provide jobs to thousands, if not millions, of Filipinos, particularly Bulaceños. We hope that with its eventual enactment, this vision will soon become a reality and Bulacan’s position as an economic powerhouse will be even more cemented.

Muli, nagpapasalamat po tayo sa ating sponsor, Senator Poe. Makakaasa po kayo sa ating isan-daang porsyentong suporta para sa pagsasabatas ng panukalang ito.

Thank you and may God bless us all.

Privilege Speech of Senator JV Ejercito

TUPAD Scam

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa: Before I ask my question, Mr. President, may pasakalye lang ako konti. Please allow me to express my admiration for the passion of the good gentleman from San Juan, Senator JV Ejercito. His passion to set things straight, particularly these social protection programs of the government. 

And the gentleman is correct, Mr. President. When your Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs conducted the hearing on these alleged ayuda scams, we did bring to light inconsistencies, discrepancies, in their distribution. And yes, we do not turn a blind eye to the angle that possibly, or probably, these social protection programs have been politicized. If I may be allowed to be briefly poetic, Mr. President, it appears that they have been transformed into schemes, to fund someone else’s political dreams.

But I also hope, Mr. President, that we do not miss the forest for the trees. When the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps was implemented by the government in 2015, it was conceived of, not as some simple dole-out system for the poverty-stricken, but as a conditional cash grant that comes in two types: health and education. Ibig sabihin, may criteria na kailangang matupad, upang mapabilang sa listahan ng mga benepisyaryo ng 4Ps.

Gayundin ang TUPAD, Mr. President. Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged o Displaced Workers. Hindi rin po dole-out ang TUPAD, kundi bayad para sa trabahong kanilang ginawa, sa loob ng sampu hanggang tatlumpung araw. These jobs could be social community projects, like the repair of public facilities, or economic projects such as rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, or agroforestry projects, such as reforestation.

Hindi kailanman naging kasalanan ang kahirapan, Mr. President. Kung taun-taon may mga kapwa Pilipino tayong pumipila para tumanggap o mag-claim ng ayuda, ibig sabihin taun-taon ay may programa ang gobyerno para sa kanila. Taun-taon, ginagawa ng ating mga ahensya ang kanilang trabaho, tinutupad ang kani-kanilang mandato. Dahil hindi nila kasalanan na mahirap sila, hindi rin kailanman naging masama ang gumawa ng sistema upang tulungan sila.

Along with the good gentleman from San Juan, I condemn the corruption that taints the distribution of these social protection programs. However, I cannot, for the life of me, condemn the fact that we have set these programs in place, precisely because poverty is not to be condemned, but to be remedied. And if these programs form part and parcel of the remedy, then what must be done immediately is to ensure their efficient and proper distribution, instead of considering their eradication. 

Iyong nakita natin sa hearing natin, Mr. President, I thought it was only happening in far-away Mindanao. But ngayon, ito pala ay happening din right at the heart of Metro Manila, specifically San Juan. So mukhang… Kung sa sakit pa, Mr. President, ay parang cancer na ito na kumalat na kung saan-saan. So kailangan talaga nitong maagapan kaagad para hindi masayang iyong pera ng gobyerno na kung saan mga anak, mga apo pa natin ang magbabayad sa utang ng ating gobyerno kahit ito ay sinasayang lang dahil napupunta sa bulsa ng mga masasamang tao.

So with the permission of our good Senator from San Juan, may I profoundly ask just one question.

Nabanggit niyo po, “As a great man once said: “The most damaging crimes against society are those perpetrated by hoodlums in suits and hoodlums in barong tagalog.” Ang tanong ko po Mr. President, sino po itong sinasabi ninyo na great man? Thank you, Mr. President. Kung maalala mo pa.

Sen. JV Ejercito: Naalala ko, pangalan yata niya Joseph Estrada, Your Honor. Siya po iyong Presidential Anti-Crime Commission dahil ang sabi niya, iyong mga mahihirap kaya napupwersang gumawa ng krimen dahil sa gutom. Nakakalungkot dahil sila ay ‘pag nahuli, kinukulong kaagad pero iyong hoodlums in robes, in barong tagalog in suits, kahit gumawa ng krimen, hindi po sila nahuhuli kaya iyon ang rationale bakit niya nasabi ‘yan noon.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa: Indeed, I agree, Mr. President. At, indeed, the source of this quotation is a great man. I second the motion. Thank you, Mr. President.

Binigyang-diin ni Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva na ang Tatak Pinoy Act ay magpapalakas sa pagsisikap ng pamahalaan sa paglikha ng trabaho para sa mga Pilipino, kasabay ng papuri sa paglagda ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa naturang batas.

“We thank the President for always making jobs a priority goal of his administration.  We also commend Senator Sonny Angara for relentlessly pushing for this measure to support our local industries and create employment opportunities for our kababayans,” sabi ni Villanueva.

Pupunan ng Tatak Pinoy Act ang Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) law na naglalayong bumuo ng national masterplan para pagtuunan ng pansin ang unemployment, underemployment, at youth unemployment sa bansa.

Si Villanueva ang principal sponsor at author ng TPB Law na nilagdaan bilang batas noong Setyembre 2023.

Ang Tatak Pinoy Act ay humihikayat, sumusuporta at nagsusulong ng produksyon ng mga lokal na produkto at serbisyo para mas maging globally competitive ang mga domestic enterprises.

Ang batas na ito ay tugma sa TPB law sa pagbibigay-din sa kahalagahan ng human resources sa pamamagitan ng pagbuo ng isang roadmap na susuporta sa mga target na sektor at aktibidad; pagsusulong ng academe-industry linkage para makapag-develop ng programa na tutugma sa pangangailangan ng industriya, kasama ang iba’t ibang uri ng pagsasanay, skills development, upskilling/reskilling, at lifelong learning.

“Malaking tulong po ang pagsasabatas ng Tatak Pinoy Act katuwang ang ating iniakdang TPB Act, halimbawa, para po sa mga Talbak coffee farmers sa Bulacan para ma-promote ang industriya at makapagbigay ng maraming trabaho sa ating mga kababayan,” ayon kay Villanueva.  

Target din ng Tatak Pinoy Act na alamin ang mga kinakailangang programa, tulad ng innovation infrastructure at facilities para sa advanced research at incubation, at national at regional innovation hubs, kung saan itatampok ang kaugnay na advanced at emerging technology centers.

Mayroon din itong isang Council na titiyak na may domestic preference para sa mga locally-produced, sourced, o manufactured construction materials. 

Ang Council ay inaatasan ding gumawa ng strategic, market-driven, at customer-centric research at development activities, pati technology transfer initiatives na mahalaga sa pagpapatupad ng Tatak Pinoy Strategy.

Titiyakin din ng Council na ang Tatak Pinoy investment activities at projects ay kasama sa listahan ng priority activities sa ilalim ng Strategic Investments Priority Plan.

Sa ilalim ng batas, ang mga programa at proyekto para sa pagpapahusay ng kakayahan ng domestic enterprises ay dapat kasama sa expenditure priorities at national government fiscal program.

“Tatak Pinoy will be a game-changer in opening up immense opportunities for our local industries and the much-needed jobs for our skilled and hardworking kababayans,” sabi pa ni Villanueva. 

Mr. President and distinguished colleagues:

It is my honor to sponsor Concurrent Resolution No. 10, Granting Consent to Mr. Delfin N. Lorenzana, Chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, to Receive the “United States Special Operations Command Medal” from the Government of the United States of America.

Mr. President, with 35 years of active military service under his belt, Chairman Lorenzana demonstrated his exemplary service in our military as commander of infantry units from platoon to Brigade, Armor Brigade, and the Army Special Operations Command, as well as serving in staff positions at Battalion and Brigade Headquarters.

Throughout his years of service, Chairman Lorenzana, who also served as the Secretary of National Defense from June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2022, demonstrated his expertise in national defense and security, special operations, foreign affairs, public diplomacy, veterans affairs, and strategic leadership.

This representation could not think of anyone more deserving to be awarded the USSOCOM medal, which is given only to select individuals who have made significant contributions to special operations.

Congratulations in advance to Chairman Lorenzana. We urge this august body to wholeheartedly give our consent to Chairman Lorenzana’s receipt of the United States Special Operations Command Medal.

Thank you very much, and may God bless us all.